The latest ‘Best Countries’ ranking reveals the 40 most admired nations in the world. Malaysia makes the list, but where does it land among the global favourites?

Switzerland has claimed the top spot in the 2024 Best Countries ranking, a comprehensive – if admittedly subjective – global perception study compiled by U.S. News & World Report in partnership with Wharton and WPP.

The alpine nation scored consistently high across key categories such as business environment, quality of life, cultural influence, and social purpose. Rounding out the top five are Japan, the United States, Canada, and Australia. The information was presented by Visual Capitalist in a recent post.

More than 17,000 people from around the world took part in the annual survey, which evaluated 89 countries across 73 attributes. These were grouped into 10 broad categories, including quality of life, entrepreneurship, heritage, power, agility, and social impact. The result is a ranking not just of economic or military strength, but of how nations are viewed in terms of lifestyle, values, and opportunity.

Among the contributing factors were Malaysia’s reputation for business competitiveness, its diverse cultural heritage, and increasing appeal as a place to live and work. International interest in Malaysia has grown in recent years thanks to its strategic position in Southeast Asia, expanding digital economy, and affordable cost of living.

Malaysia made the list at number 38, placing just ahead of Chile and Portugal, and not far behind Thailand (28) and China (16). Singapore, the top ASEAN performer, ranked 14th overall. For Malaysia, the inclusion reflects steady improvements in both perception and performance on the global stage.

Malaysia also performed favourably in trust and governance indicators. It was ranked as one of the more trustworthy nations in Asia and showed progress in areas such as innovation and export-driven manufacturing. While challenges remain in terms of soft power and global influence, Malaysia is steadily carving out a stronger international image.

The survey’s methodology focused on perceptions, but countries also had to meet certain economic thresholds for GDP, tourism, and foreign direct investment to qualify. This ensured that the ranking reflected not only opinion but also a baseline of global relevance.

Ultimately, Malaysia’s presence among the top 40 best countries signals a positive trajectory. Whether for investors, expats, retirees, or globally minded locals, it is a reassuring nod that the country continues to earn recognition on the world stage.

It’s certainly an encouraging bit of news, and now, it’s up to Malaysian authorities to build on this growing success by crafting policies that are more inclusive, welcoming, and favourable to both international residents and business interests.